The Israeli economic newspaper Calcalist said that the government’s plan to return the residents of the north to their homes will only be submitted for approval at the beginning of 2025.
The newspaper said that the plan, which is supervised by Minister Zeev Elkin after responsibility was transferred to him this week, aims to return the residents in two steps:
- The first includes immediate steps over the next year to return residents to their homes.
- The second is a long-term plan that will be presented later in 2025.
The Israeli government allocated a budget of 15 billion shekels ($4.1 billion) distributed over 5 years for reconstruction, but the heads of local authorities criticize this budget and consider it insufficient to cover urgent needs, according to the newspaper.
The newspaper indicates that, out of about 63,000 displaced people, about 49,000 reside in rented apartments or with relatives, while about 14,000 still reside in hotels.
The state provides daily financial support of 200 shekels ($55) for each adult and 100 shekels ($27) for each child to families that have chosen the self-housing model.
It is noteworthy that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah entered into force at dawn yesterday, Wednesday, in the hope that it will put an end to fighting that has been going on for more than a year, and pave the way for a similar agreement that will end the war on Gaza.
Disagreements over budget distribution
The report indicates that the delay in implementing the plan is also due to disagreements between government ministries and heads of local authorities. Retired Major General Eliezer (Cheney) Marom, head of the Reconstruction Administration, presented a long-term plan worth NIS 31 billion ($8.5 billion), but it was not approved by government ministries, according to Calcalist.
In contrast, the Ministry of Finance agreed to allocate only 15 billion shekels ($4.1 billion), including some towns that were affected but located outside the direct front line. This step raised objections from the heads of authorities who confirmed that this decision weakens the quota allocated to each individual.
Additional problems in reconstruction
The plan includes repairing damage to homes as a result of the bombing, in addition to dealing with secondary damage such as floods and damage to the infrastructure of homes that have been uninhabited for more than a year.
These damages are estimated to include pipe damage and rodent infestation, problems that are not covered by statutory funding for the IRS Compensation Fund, according to the newspaper.
Additional adaptive grants may be required for returnees to cover these expenses.
Local authority heads criticized the government’s lack of a practical and rapid reconstruction plan, and warned that this delay may discourage residents from returning to their homes, increasing the feeling of abandonment by the state of the northern population.
